Sunset over the Caspian Sea

Aktau, Kazakhstan: 18-Oct-2009

St. Margaret’s Church

St. Margaret’s Church is situated in the grounds of Westminster Abbey and Parliament Square.  Originally founded in the 12th century, St. Margaret’s was rebuilt from 1486 to 1523 and the church’s interior was greatly restored to its current appearance in 1877.

Westminster Abbey, London:  Sept-2009

Summer in “Land of Cheese”

Den Haag, The Netherlands:  Aug-2009

Moments to be cherished

Pic by Samantha Ting  -  Miri, Malaysian Borneo:  July 2009

Life • New Beginning

Kundasang, Sabah:  April 2009

Portrait of a bride

Hanoi, Vietnam:  Feb 2008

Kelabit lady

Kelabit, at approximately 5,000 people, is one of the smallest indigenous groups in Sarawak, Borneo predominantly from Bario located on the Kelabit Highlands.  Kelabit people are well-known for their warmth, hospitality and friendliness and, also renowned for their famous Bario rice, beadwork, basket making and great generosity of spirit…..indeed simple desire and life – so refreshing esp in our today’s ever fast-changing and materialistic world. 

Like tattoo, once, extended earlobes (left pic) is part of kelabit culture and were regarded as a sign of beauty  (also in the pic, the beaded cap is called peta in kelabit). Everyone would have them done. The earlobes that are pierced with a sharp bamboo or needle will be slowly enlarged by hanging a pair of brass ear rings called hornbill ear rings (or abey in Kelabit).  However, this practice has since slowly disappeared.  It’s a bit like the Chinese traditional bind feet, in time to come this will be a total history.

Bario, Malaysian Borneo:  May 2007

Peace on Earth

Padi (rice) field — Bario is situated on Kelabit Highlands at 3,280 ft asl tucked in the central north of Borneo, only accessible by air and haven for jungle trekkers and nature lovers.  Also, commonly considered as the ‘Green Heart’ of Borneo – they are the cultural homeland of the Kelabit people and home of the largest surviving intact forested and traditionally farmed watershed in Borneo which also serve as an important climate stabiliser and source of near-pristine hydrology.

Bario, Malaysian Borneo:  May 2007

Back to Nature

Walk in nature…aahh, beautiful lush tropical rainforest. This shot was taken at the Lambir National Park, Borneo:  May 2007

Wild floras of Mt. Kinabalu

The smallest of the Nepenthes species (carnivorous plant) in its natural habitat found along the summit trail of Mt. Kinabalu.  Apparently, this species can only be found here.  Normally, we can only see plants like these in botanical gardens, and it was such a wonder to see them in their natural habitat.  Also, it was quite a find esp for a beginner like me – it was just tiny ‘patches’ of them among the vegetation.

Also, one of the smallest Coelogyne species (above pic) found along the summit trail of Mt. Kinabalu.   Another species, rhododendron ericoides (left pic) – This unique species is found nowhere else in the world – only at Mt. Kinabalu located ~10,000 ft asl, with needle-like leaves and small red flowers.

Mt. Kinabalu, Sabah:  March 2006